The numbers that prove why Wood has shed brutal nickname
WAU rising star Ryan Wood broke into championship top 10 in Tasmania
New Zealander qualified second for Tasmania finale after bold Shootout lap
Wood is only 105 points behind teammate Chaz Mostert; he was 380 down last year
It may have taken four rounds, but Ryan Wood has finally broken into Supercars' top 10, a position that will prove decisive in determining the outcome of the 2025 championship.
After a moving year in 2024, headlined by a front row start in Perth, some Shootout berths and two top four finishes, the Walkinshaw Andretti United driver has taken a big step forward in 2025.
The gains on track are clear; Wood had a season race average of 13.86 and qualifying average of 12.71 in 2024. Through four rounds this year, the race and qualifying averages have dropped to 10.83 and 9.62.
Chaz Mostert was 380 points ahead of Wood after Round 4 last year, but the difference between the two is now just 105 points. Where Wood had less than half of the points of the leader last year, he now has 60%.
The results are a sign of Wood getting a handle on his car and the tyres, which has helped the Kiwi banish a brutal nickname bestowed on him by his team.
“Ryan Wood showed us what could do now that he knows how to handle the tyres," WAU Team Principal Carl Faux said after Tasmania, where Wood scored another front row start.
"It was two Top Ten Shootouts in a row, and he’s now lost the nickname ‘jigsaw’ because he used to fall to pieces."
The challenge for WAU has been making it work for Mostert and Wood. Remarkably, through four rounds, WAU still hasn't managed to get both cars into the top eight in the same race.
Mostert had a shocker in Tasmania, failing to break into the top 10, and dropping 164 points relative to the championship lead on a single weekend. According to the team, however, Mostert ended up pleased with key changes that could unlock his season.
Starting second for the Tasmania finale, Wood fought in the top three before falling on the wrong side of a strategy race, finishing eighth. It was enough to finally break into the top 10, with the Wellington product pleased he is becoming a constant at the front.
“I think we were all hoping for a little more today, especially after the first stint, but still, it was a really strong race, the car was awesome, so disappointed of course but there was a lot to take from today and the weekend," Wood said.
“Really excited to keep growing and moving forward with this momentum, it was cool to start on the front row again and mix it with the front of the field."
Wood will resume his 2025 campaign in Perth on June 6-8. Tickets on sale now.
